Auburn's Tiger Prowl hits the road again today after busy time in Mobile

Reese Dismukes committed to Auburn last week, but recruiting coordinator, running backs coach -- and, this day -- tour guide Curtis Luper couldn't pass up a chance to drop by to be seen.

That's why Auburn's Tiger Prowl recruiting limo tour made Spanish Fort High School in Mobile one of its first stop on this year's recruiting venture.

Tiger Prowl is in Montgomery today (Todd Van Emst photo)"It's was a big deal," Dismukes said. "They've got a big name, and it's not often people like that come to your school."

Auburn attracted plenty of buzz and high school talent in last year's recruiting blitz that started with Tiger Prowl and ended with Big Cat Weekend. Coach Gene Chizik and the Tigers are hoping both will happen again this year.

That's why Luper and his fellow coaches have brought it back, and that's why five assistant coaches loaded up in a limo and hit nine high schools in the Mobile area Monday. The limo will be on the road again today in the Montgomery area, before hitting the Birmingham area on Wednesday and the Huntsville area on Thursday. There may be more tour stops added.

Luper's Monday report:

"Today was a good day. It was incredible," he said.

Auburn has added a twist to last year's limo. A highly decorated bus, complete with images of Auburn football and "Tiger Prowl" written on the side, is touring each city while the coaches visit the schools.

The bus then sets up shop for fans to meet football and basketball coaches once the recruiting is finished. Tigers Unlimited, the athletic department's fundraising arm, is coordinating the bus. The recruiting coordinator and the football administrative staff are working everything else. Visiting nine high schools on Monday was a start.

"We were trying to see as many people as we could," Luper said. "Every stop there were people who wanted to see us. There were about 15 schools vying for our attention. 'When are y'all coming by? When's the limo coming by?'"

Players may have stolen a peek at the coaches -- certainly, a lot of students did -- but NCAA rules prohibit any contact between players and coaches on the school's campus.

Instead, the Auburn coaches met with administrators and the football staff at each school after their showy entrance.

"We want to get out and be seen and be visible," Luper said.

Auburn is still working out its travel itinerary, but Hoover, Minor, Leeds and Hueytown are among the schools the coaches will visit in the Birmingham area.

Last year's Tiger Prowl helped Auburn finish with a Top 5 signing class. It started with modest goals.

"We were new to the state and we really wanted to get ourselves out there, and to familiarize ourselves with as many people in the state as we could," Luper said. "The main thing was to get out and let everyone know that Coach Chiz and our staff's objective was to start recruiting right here in Alabama. That was our motivation."

The Tiger Prowl bus offered fans in the Mobile area a chance to meet the football assistants and new basketball coach Tony Barbee on Monday night. Fans will have the same opportunity in the Birmingham area on Wednesday.

The opportunity to meet the coaches will be from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Verizon Wireless Music Center in Pelham. The event is free.

Today's Tiger Prowl in Montgomery for fans will be located outside the Renaissance Hotel in Montgomery at the Exchange Patio.

The Huntsville Tiger Prowl on Thursday will be at the Madison Market on Hughes Road in Madison.